CF Montreal 0 : 0 Real Salt Lake
June 15, 2024; Stade Saputo; Montreal, Quebec
Real Salt Lake (9-2-7, 34 points, 1st West); CF Montreal (4-7-6, 18 points, 12th East)
Player Spotlight: RSL defense holds firm for clean sheet; Luna provides attacking spark
Real Salt Lake’s defense proved to be the biggest highlight Saturday night in Quebec, standing strong to earn a well-deserved clean sheet with a dogged, determined defensive performance in a difficult, combative goalless draw against Montreal this weekend.
The defensive core for the game provided an assured, impenetrable foundation in the face of constant, resilient Montreal adversity to help the team record an impressive sixth clean sheet of the 2024 season. The result also extended RSL’s historic single-season unbeaten streak to a Club-record 14 matches, matching the franchise record established back in 2010.
In the absence of injured Justen Glad, one of the team's long-time regular defensive licnhpins, fullback Andrew Brody emerged as arguably the team’s “Man of the Match” for the night amongst the RSL rearguard, providing crucial and last-ditch blocks and tackles to repeatedly keep the Montreal offense at bay.
Arguably Brody’s biggest defensive contribution arrived midway through the second half, in the 63rd minute. RSL got caught out by a routine Montreal attacking sequence when a ball played through the heart of the defense put Mason Toye bearing down on the RSL goal. With time and space to take the ball around an onrushing GK Zac MacMath for a seemingly open goal, Toye’s offering was snuffed out by Brody, who recovered just in time with a last ditch slide tackle to erase a surefire opportunity for the hosts.
Brody would be called into decisive action again 20 minutes later, in the 82nd minute. Against the run of play, a ball over the top found Toye’s run in behind again for Montreal, and bundling down on the penalty area with only MacMath standing between him and the goal. However, Brody again recovered in good time with an important tackle, displaying an impressive level of physicality to make up for the size deficit between him and his opponent, and help keep the score level.
22-year old Bode Hidalgo also greatly impressed defensively in a rare centerback start in the heart of the defense in place of the injured Glad. Originally a winger who got converted to a full back, and then an occasional/emergency center back, Hidalgo showed great defensive “nous” and concentration alongside Brayan Vera in the centerback partnership with crucial tackles, blocks and clearances that mae for an overall assured and confident display.
Behind the back four, MacMath also had to be called on a few times and provided crucial saves to keep RSL in the game, adding to his reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the country on his day. Arguably MacMath’s biggest save came early on in the game, in the 16th minute. A fine Montreal attacking sequence saw the ball worked out wide to Joaquin Sosa, who in turn whipped in a low swerving ball into the six-yard box for Dominik Yankov which looked like being a fine, surefire goal, but MacMath was well-positioned to make a world-class instinctive save to snuff out the chance for Montreal.
20-year old Diego Luna also impressed in attack and proved to be one of RSL’s biggest attacking sparks in the contest. Luna’s detailed advanced playmaking ability and propensity to drop into pockets of space between the opposition defense and midfield to fashion chances was crucial to RSL’s ball progression and attacking game plan. His deft touches, dribbling, and close control were all on display on the night to help consistently create chances for his teammates.
The US international also came close a few times to opening the score for the team, with one particularly fine chance arriving in the 60th minute after being teed up by Emeka Eneli, but his effort was deflected out for a corner.
Again, in the 70th minute, a deft, seemingly telepathic attacking sequence between Chicho Arango and Anderson Julio found the former with time and space in the box for a shot which was saved by Jonathan Sirois, in goal for Montreal. However, the rebounded clearance then fell out for Luna whose arrowed, defected strike rattled the bottom post before going out for a corner. Despite not having a goal or assist to show for his efforts, it was another strong, creative display from the young midfielder.
Off to the best start in the club’s history, this result leaves RSL atop the Western Conference standings with 34 points from 18 games albeit only a solitary point ahead of second-placed LAFC, who have a game in hand. Fans can catch RSL next on Wednesday when the team travels to Children’s Mercy Park to take on Sporting Kansas City with kickoff scheduled for 6:30 p.m. MT.
RSL’s next home match is on Saturday, June 22 against LA Galaxy, in what is yet another critical Western Conference top-of-the-table clash. For tickets, schedules, info, news and more around the Western Conference’s top team, visit rsl.com/tickets
Important Milestones
- RSL is now unbeaten in 14 consecutive matches, matching the longest single-season streak in Club history (14, 2010). RSL’s last defeat was on March 9 vs. Rocky Mountain Cup rival Colorado, 100 days prior to the team’s Wednesday match in Kansas City. The 34 points accumulated in 18 matches equals the best start in Club history.
- With this result, RSL strengthened its claim for one of Major League Soccer’s elite defenses, putting up a sixth shutout to keep the total goals conceded on the year to a Western Conference-low 19.
- GK Zac MacMath earned his fourth clean sheet of the 2024 campaign, RSL’s sixth of the year. RSL’s last road clean sheet came from MacMath’s netminding partner Gavin Beavers on April 20th at Chicago, and the last clean sheet for Real overall was more than a month ago - May 15th at home against Seattle, also by Beavers.
- RSL earned a point on the road for the ninth consecutive match, last losing in the season opener at Inter Miami on Feb. 21. The road streak of nine straight without a loss also establishes a new single-season Club record.
- RSL’s point cements an undefeated season in Canada, previously winning in Vancouver, 2-1, back on March 23. The Club’s final reg. season matchup with a Canadian side arrives at home against Vancouver on Decision Day on Sat., Oct 19 at America First Field in Sandy.
